I signed up a while back, so I thought I’d share my thoughts about this service (and I’m curious what you guys think of it too!).
In case you haven’t heard of it, I should explain that Groupon is a daily local deal site. You sign up for free, and each day Groupon emails you a coupon type of offer for a local business. Typically the coupons offer you a 50% off kind of deal. For instance, you might be able to buy a $30 restaurant certificate for $15, or a $60 salon service for $30.
I like that Groupon mostly works with small, local businesses…Groupon is a big company, but they’re partnering with small companies, which is awesome.
Every now and then, Groupon offers non-local deals as well. For example, last August they offered a $50 Gap certificate for $25. I think that’s actually the deal that made me sign up for Groupon in the first place!
So, what do I think after 6 months?
Well, I think Groupon will work the best for you if you happen to live IN a city. I live in the suburbs (so not a city girl!), and so a good number of the deals are for businesses that are a bit of a hike for me. Occasionally there’s a chain deal (like for Gap), and occasionally a deal comes through that is truly local for me (I recently got a gift certificate for a salon that’s 5 minutes from my house and for a mini golf course that’s close by), but most of them are a little too far away.
Also, you should know that Groupon will save you money mainly if you’re looking for deals on budgetary “extras”, like salon services, entertainment, and restaurants. It’s not the place to get discounts on necessities (the Gap offer was the closest to a necessity that I’ve seen thus far.).
In addition, though joining is free, Groupon offers are not free*. They’re usually pretty good deals, but they require some cash outlay, so you need to shop with caution.
Because of this, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this service if you’re prone to impulsive spending, as you might be tempted to buy way too much stuff that you can’t really afford and that you don’t really need.
(*if you’re looking for something free, I’d recommend Swagbucks instead…there you can get points and redeem them for gift certificates without having to actually spend any money. If you want to find out more, read my post about what I think of Swagbucks.).
If, however, you’re looking to get the most out of your entertainment budget, I think Groupon could be a very helpful tool for you. If you stretch your entertainment dollars by using Groupons, you might be able to get in two date nights each month instead of one, and maybe you could afford to take your whole family bowling or out for ice cream.
Also, Groupon does have a referral program. If you refer your friends and they sign up and buy a deal, you get $10 Groupon bucks in your account, which you can use to buy Groupon deals. Right now, though, Groupon is offering you $20 for each friend you refer, so if you want to get with some friends and sign up, now is the time!
(If you click on any of the Groupon links in this post, I’ll get Groupon credit when you sign up and buy a deal. But of course, if you don’t feel comfortable doing that, you can always go directly to Groupon’s site to sign up. And as always, I only encourage you to sign up and buy something if you feel like it’s a good deal and works with your budget. )
What do you think? If you’ve joined up, has Groupon worked well for you?
Today’s 365 post: I can’t share just one of these.
Joshua’s 365 post: Do you know what we call this?
Sarah says
I meant to comment on this one the day it went up. I did all my Christmas shopping via Groupon. My parents and brother each got 16×20 canvas’ (canveses? canvesi?) at more than half off the normal cost. Both my grandparents got photo books from Shutterfly for $10 each. And at the last minute I got a year long pass for my brother’s family to their local zoo.
I’ve also gotten Amazon gift cards and Barnes and Nobel Gift cards through Groupon….and purchasing those through Swagbucks made it even better.
There are days when I get the notice, roll my eyes, and hit delete; but overall I enjoy Groupons.
Patti says
I use Groupon and Living Social a lot. I really like a massage and the deals are great. I average about one a month. Most are offered at the beach which is about 45 minutes away. I don’t mind that because I make a day of it. Meet friends and just hang out at the beach. I’m going to St. Petersburg for a three night stay in May. It was $159 which is great for that area! I signed up for a years family and friend membership at the Museum of Science in Jacksonville. You can go to other museums across the country that accept my card. I usually buy the deals that are good for a year. I’m happy with both companies and have never had a problem.
Have a great weekend!
Patti
Sarah says
It is a great program.
Marguerite says
I love Groupon, when the right deal comes up it can be a very frugal purchase. I have made 2 practical purchases – car repairs and dental services for me and my husband. Also made 2 “fun” purchases – Bath and Body Works, and a night in a hotel suite for our anniversary.
Karen says
I see Groupon ads everywhere, but haven’t even bothered looking into it. I live near, but not in an urban center where the perception of wealth is very important, and an unusually high proportion of residents actually are fairly wealthy. Most retailers in the area try very hard to cater to that demographic so we have a lot of stores with extremely expensive (in my opinion) merchandise – like $200-300 “casual” footwear. Groupon isn’t going to cut it for me there… On the other hand, those same shoes with the price tag still on them show up at the thrift shops, along with the designer clothing probably bought the same day and also unworn. I think I like Groupon the same way I like the boutiques downtown – from a distance. They’re great when someone else impulse buys for big bucks and then purges their mistakes.
Kate says
I bought three of things off Groupon – one thing I was going to buy nanyway, a very inexpensive trip to a local garden, and laser hair removal. I got the best deal on laser hair removal (it was more than 50% off), although it was the most expensive. It is something that I would not have splurged on at full price, but I’ll probably end up saving money (on razors) and time over a lifetime because of it.
I also want to point out heartsy.me, which is basically Groupon for one-of-a-kind items on Etsy. I’ve not bought anything from there yet, but I think it is going to be great come birthday and Christmas time.
Sara says
I LOVE Groupon, but ONLY for items that I’d normally buy anyways. I’d been wanting to get a wedding picture put onto canvas since before we got married (seriously ;-)) and I found a Groupon for a pretty large one for only $45–value was close to $200. Since this was something I’d been wanting for so long I splurged and got it. And I’m oh so glad I did! Other than this though, I’ve only used it for food–this helps our eating out portion of the budget stretch so much further.
Although–like you, I do enjoy Swagbucks more. I bought 4 Christmas presents last year with Amazon gift cards–and I plan to do the same this year! Woo hoo!
Diane says
Can’t believe no one’s mentioned the Nordstrom Rack Deal they ran last year. $25 for a $50 gift card! I used it to buy Christmas Gifts. I worked at Nordstrom for years, so I KNOW it was a killer deal. I “discovered” Groupon when my brother Chris (the baby powder guy who works for Costco) called me about it. He bought two GCs and used them to buy the expensive brand of shoes he likes for work. That said, it is important to keep an eye on your overall spending. My only other purchase was 3 for the price of 1 at Redbox. I can’t wait to start using it to see some of those recent Oscar winners!
M&Co. says
We use Groupon. Not a lot, but some. We’ve eaten at some local restaurants we’ve never tried before using their 1/2 off coupon. I’ve also used it to buy gifts for friends and family; manicures, pedicures and massages. They have also had 1/2 for a small local grocery store here. I didn’t buy it because it’s more expensive than the Buy 4 Less with less selection.
AnneT says
We have Groupon in Canada as well as WagJag. WagJag I’ve used a lot for home town stuff: frozen food shop, a really good local butcher, Boston Pizza, a local sushi restaurant, a local Thai restaurant, a local Chinese restaurant, a local breakfast cafe, oil changes. Usually I can only do either my birthday or Valentine’s Day for dinner out but this year we did both because we had coupons and so spent in total for two nights what we would spend on one.
I just signed up for Groupon and have bought coupons for where we are vacationing (Williamsburg area): Ben Franklin Craft Store (yea, half-price art supplies!), Red Box movie rental, and one restaurant for a lunch out while exploring the Hampton area. I got the Amazon coupon (and am using it for books arriving at my vacation spot next week) through the Living Social.
I signed up for OneSpout, which allows you to set the things you’re interested in and the minimum discount you’re interested in seeing. Helps to keep impulse buying in check. I keep a record of all my coupons too, with their end dates, so I can be sure to use them before they expire. Also no point having more restaurant coupons on hand than you can use and the list helps on buying decisions. For instance, I’m not getting any restaurant coupons unless they have an expiry into mid-summer.
jen b says
I have used Groupon for Barnes and Noble- I don’t usually buy new books, but wanted specific books about new babies (I’m due in 4 weeks) so it saved us money- also used for Redbox, and at a local business for swim lessons for my daughters this summer to save $70, and four tickets to a nearby children’s museum. I only buy Groupons for things we would have spent money on anyway, and so far it has worked for us
Aimy says
I joined Groupon early on and it has really expanded to the suburbs. I guess it just depends on if your local businesses are aware of Groupon. I’m about 1 hour away from Chicago get alot of offers for local venders :medical services as well as entertainment.
You have a good point though, it is very easy to get carried away with spending more when Groupon finally use it.
There is also a new company coming soon called PAyless,Live More, or something like that. Be on the look out for that one.
Val @ Balancing Val says
I joined Groupon a while back and since I dont live in a major city ( Im an hour away from atlantic city, philly AND nyc) It really didnt benefit me.
I tried because I wanted to SAVE money while being frugal and like you said, its mostly for things that would qualify as entertainment.
However, I know a lot of people that love it and use it a lot!
Hanelene says
I have gotten a 50% deals few for a local butcher – that was a winner! The rest of the time I delete as quickly as possible before temptation strikes.
Jen@Dear Mommy Brain... says
I’ve been getting Groupon emails for nearly a year and have purchased a total of about 6. Out of over 300. But that said, the things that I’ve gotten have been great! $10 for a $20 B&N GC, a month membership at Gymboree for $20, stuff like that. I really only purchase Groupons for things I would buy anyways. But it is nice because I can also indulge on some entertainment items that I wouldn’t normally be able to afford.
Kate says
I belong to several sites like Groupon. I have bought tickets to the aquarium by my house for $5 vs the regular $25, Rebox movie rental passes 3 for $1, facials for 50% off, and many more things. I LOVE it. I have thought about going to the aquarium for years and never gone because of the cost, I loved it. I like that it gets me out more for less!
Karen says
I love Groupon (and Living Social), and try to use it only for the entertainment extras as you indicated. I’ve gotten deals on sushi, massages, custom framing ($25 for $75 worth of work), theatre tickets, etc. As a young professional watching my money closely, it gives me the opportunity to enjoy some treats that I just otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.
Another suggestion: For restaurant deals, try restaurant.com. They have deals just as good as Groupon (though watch the fine print), and you can find the deals anytime instead of having to wait for the one time a year when Groupon features the restaurant. Also nice, you can choose the level of the deal you want. So, if its just me and my boyfriend, we might choose to puchase the $10 for $25 deal, but for a larger family, you might be interested in the $40 for $100 deal. I’ve heard through a friend that a couple times a year the site also has a “sale” where you can get even steeper discounts. She waits for a sale and then goes nuts. Then she gives out the gift cards as Christmas gifts or uses them to treat her friends to lunch from time to time.
Emily says
The only deals I’ve done on Groupon are the few for the Picaboo scrapbooking website that showed up awhile back. They were crazy good deals; $30 for a $100 Picaboo credit that could be used towards scrapbooks, tax, and shipping. But I’m with you, Kristen; I live in small-town western PA, and it takes me a good hour to get into the city. I’ve been tempted a few times to do some of the really good restaurant deals, but then I get to thinking about the drive, and I never end up doing it.
Elizabeth L. says
I use Groupon and Living Social. I’ve only bought three deals totally in the 6 or 7 months I’ve been getting the emails, but I enjoy getting the emails. I like that so many local restaurants and salons are using these sites for promotions and I really like finding out about new places. I prefer the national deals like the Gap, B&N, and Amazon deals, but a local baking supply store posted a Groupon about 2 months ago and I snatched it up so fast! I’m going to use it very soon to get some new cookie sheets and muffin pans.
I’m super jealous of the people with grocery store coupon btw. I wish that would come here.
Kalee says
I love Groupon! It’s given us a large chunk of change to spend at a new restaurant we wanted to try for very little money down (the food was excellent). I’ve noticed that some of the businesses seem to be ones that are trying to get more business so I love that it’s helping smaller businesses stay afloat in this economy.
We have been able to get my husband a hot later shave at an upscale gentlemen’s place (hot shaves, shoe shines, billiards, they do complimentary beer/coffee/water and you can keep a bottle of liquor there if you’re a regular). He enjoyed it and would love to go every few months. We also were able to get him signed up for his own Groupon recently when one of our favorite Indian restaurants had a groupon so we each were able to buy 3! It was a large chunk of change upfront, but when he wanted to go before he was deployed like 3 times I didn’t blink an eye.
There are also similar places, such as Living Social, but so far groupon has been the best for extras we we’re already considering.
Meeghan says
I live in RTP in North Carolina, so we get three deals a day — two living social deals (one for Raleigh and one for Durham/Chapel HIll) and one groupon (for Raleigh). I think they’re great, though you have to exercise some caution. We only buy them for restaurants we’ve been to before or have been wanting to try. In the past year, there’s been two 50% off ($36 for $75) Ace Hardware deals which I’ve saved for painting projects. We also got a carpet cleaning deal and one to a local nursery.
There are definitely good deals to be had.
Lorraine says
I meant to add–I think it is such a great idea to look at the Groupons in cities you plan to vacation in. I hadn’t thought of that before . . .
Wendy says
I do also receive the Groupon emails, but have not bought much. A friend recommended it to me and always, always, always buys anything that is spa related. She has had soem great experiences and her only extra outlay of cash has been tipping. We have also done a few restaurant ones where it has been able to allow us to have a nicer date night while still staying within our budget. I did buy one for a package meal plan where you go, make your meals, freeze them, and then cook later. I am going to go ahead and do it, but I am very dissapointed that it is going to cost an additional $100 because the company requires a minimum purchase. It would have been nice to know that before I purchased the groupon (there is no mention of the minimum order until you initiate the purchase).
WilliamB says
If the miminum purchase wasn’t mentioned till *after* you paid, then it was a fraudulent sale and you are legally entitled to a refund.
If the minimum showed up before you paid, as you paid, or in really small print, then perhaps you can convince Groupon to twist arms for a refund or no minimum purchase.
Lorraine says
Groupon just came to my city about 6 months ago and I joined only about one month ago. Bought a groupon for a restaurant I’ve been wanting to try and it worked out well. I do need to guard against impulse buying though. I very nearly bought a $5 for $10 worth of bagels at my favorite bagel shop but because you have to use the groupon all at once, it didn’t make sense when I typically buy just one bagel every other week or so. And I very nearly signed up for a $30 cooking class ($78 value) but even at $30 it just was not in the budget!
Megan says
Actually, I find that I more often use Living Social and Pilot Daily Deals. I don’t think I use Groupon nearly as much at those two. I am sure that other areas have companies similar to Groupon too.
Megan says
You’re completely right about it being great for people that live in a city. I live in a huge metropolitan area and I love Groupon or actually “Pilot Daily Deals” which is like Groupon.
I have scored tickets for 4 to the Lion King, which I couldn’t have afforded otherwise. I like to take my kids to the theater at least once a year. It is sooo expensive.
I have used Groupon for an awesome deal at a local winery
I use it for a local Sushi place.
Fandango tickets
I am even looking at vacation packages that come up.
I’ve used it a bunch more, but can’t think of all of them at the moment.
We use it more for special occasion things than everyday stuff.
I am loving it.
Shana says
I have used Groupon a BUNCH. My favorites were a housecleaner and carpet cleaners. We have a Groupon to use still for carpet cleaning – it was a ridiculously low price. We will use it when the muck of winter/spring is finally done. We *do* have a home steam cleaner, but once a year I like to get them really clean.
I have one more I haven’t used quite yet – it was $9 for two movie tickets to ANY movie, even first run. We’ll be using that next weekend when my youngest and her best friend celebrate her 13th birthday
Megg says
I agree with everything you said here! Though I’m jealous of the people whose Groupons have local grocery stores! Ours seems to mostly be in the big city, and extras that we don’t need. However, I did get a Barnes and Noble and an Amazon card through Groupon that I was happy with.
Personally I actually like Living Social better. It has more local deals, and some things I am more likely to use. Plus, though I’ve never used them, it has travel deals like 40-50% off 1 or 2 night local stays, or, recently, 6 days in Cancun (or some place nice like that).
Tricia says
I think Groupon is great when they have items I can use. I have used it mainly for entertainment deals that I normally would do. I have gotten theatre tickets at more than half to our “local” outdoor theatre, Wolf Trap. It has allowed hubby and I to take advantage of something we rarely do since having a little one. I have also gotten groupons for local restaurants and even a great deal on oil changes. My oil change groupon was an awesome deal…it was $29 for two oil changes and I used $10 of groupon bucks which made my deal $19 for two oil changes!!!
I especially like that they have added suburb deals. I use to be signed up for the DC groupon and rarely found any deals but now they have a Northern Virginia Groupon which is my “neighborhood”; I have had better success.
I love getting my groupon!
Barb @ 1SentenceDiary says
I get the Groupon emails and buy them sometimes. We’ve enjoyed dining at local restaurants that we wouldn’t have tried without the coupon, and a few other entertainment items.
But what I really like Groupon for is gifts. Around the holidays, they really came through with lots of items that were perfect as gifts. For example, my mom has a bunch of old 8mm home movies and no way to watch them. I bought two $100 certificates for $40 each, and she was able to get most of the digitized. (It was an expensive gift, but something my mom really appreciated.) I also gave my daughter a jewelry-making classes at the local bead store, with a friend. For half off, it was a really fun activity for her.
But I do agree with Kristen, it’s important to guard against impulse purchases. So far I’ve been able to do so, but if it gets to be a problem I will cancel my subscription.
Sweta says
For all of you ebates members, if you go to the groupon site through ebates you can get 3% cash back each time.
Reese says
I agree with you on sooo many levels with this review. I live right outside of Chicago, and the deals are mainly for the city…. but they’ve been adding a lot of “side deals” and those are for the suburbs. I think if I lived in the city, I’d be tempted by way too many “deals”!
Whenever a decent (50%+ savings) groupon comes up for a restaurant in my town, 9/10 I’ll buy it. This is how TFH and I manage to have date nights on fridays I bought a few good groupons when the budget was less tight, and now we’re using them when the budget is too tight for us to go out on our own.
also, I always always always end up spending more than the groupon is worth…
One thing I LOVE about groupon (if I havent said enough things I love here) is that they honor ALL their sales. I had a horrendous mishap with highlighter orange hair when I went to a salon… and they found the review on my blog, refunded my money immediately AND gave me additional credits to use on something else. <3 (My hair is no longer highlighter orange).
Amanda says
I totally agree with them being honest. I hear that ftd.com had an offer for Valentine’s. It is claimed that FTD inflated the prices of qualifying purchases to make up the difference. I like that Groupon contacted FTD about it and they did issue refunds to correct the issue. A lot of other online services wouldn’t reply or tell the custome a line of crap.
Jeanine says
I’ve used Groupon once, and yes, it is for cities, and I live about 45 minutes away from the city that has the most offers, BUT when they have an offer I like, it saves a bundle.
We usually travel to this city every other month, and since most of the coupons have a while before they expire, it’s totally worth it.
I use our local news to get the buy one get one 1/2 deals, because they have business/services that are in our local area. They have one every Thursday, (Today I got a 30 gift card to the local “Chicago” style pizzeria for $15) It’s like the best of both worlds!!
StalkingSarah says
I agree that Groupon is better for city living and that it works very well for my entertainment budget. When my girlfriend and I go out to dinner or movies or some activity, it’s usually a Groupon. We’ve tried some great new restaurants (for the price of a more frugal dinner) and done great activities– cross country skiing, ice skating, movies, etc. It’s been a nice, easy, and relatively cheap way to make date nights fun.
Maggi says
I agree with your assessment. With that said, of the half dozen Groupons I have purchased (I do work in the city) they were for establishments that I already purchase from already (Barnes and Noble, Great Harvest) or I was already planning on doing (local amusement park during our summer break)
I think my best one was for Barnes and Noble. I purchase so many books online, this was like printing free money. I was sorry I could only purchase one.
wanda says
I joined both Groupon and Living Social. So far I have only purchased one deal from Groupon. The key,at least for me,with groupon is looking at two other cities besides my own(that are close) for deals as well. Thats how I got my one deal so far.
I also look at both groupon and living social at the city I am going to go for vacation this year. If the deal lasts through the time I will be there and its something that I would do I will purchase. So far I haven’t seen any that match my criteria,but I keep checking.
Heidi says
I agree that it’s not as user friendly for those of us who live in teh suburbs. But I’ve got a few great online deals.
wanda says
I’ve signed up for my own city and several cities around me because the deals aren’t always local. The city an hour NORTH of me had a deal for a beach hotel an hour SOUTH of me, but it wasn’t in my local Groupon. The most important thing is to keep track of your Groupons and don’t let them expire on you or it’s just money down the drain (the voice of experience).
I’ve bought Groupons for my favorite spice shop and a local natural food store, plus a few restaurants and several attractions.
NMPatricia says
I have signed up for something like this, but not called Groupon – but same idea $20 worth of service or merchandise for $10. However, I have yet to buy anything. As Kristen said, it is the extra stuff that comes over my email. I am pretty tight on money and this is not stuff I would spend money on. Organic produce sounds good, but that hasn’t happened for me!
Kelly says
I love Groupon – but I live in the city. I can see how adding driving time/ going out of one’s way to use the coupon could really negate the savings. One good way to use this product is to sign up for Groupon e-mails for the place I vacation in most often. For example, if you go to Disneyworld / the Orlando area a lot, sign up for those e-mails too. There are often great deals on local tours and activities and the expiration dates are usually several months out. That way you can head to your trip armed with a good deal on a restaurant or whatever.
Wendy says
What a GREAT idea Kelly! Thanks! I will remember this.
Amanda says
I joined and have used it. I also got the 50% off organic produce. The company was pricey so it ended up just being a deal on delivery. (I could have driven to get the same amount of food at that price.). Our big Groupon savings was for Great Wolf Lodge later this month. We wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise. I’ve always wanted to go and I’m super excited.
Alison says
I’ve used it 2x in about a year. I got a deal to a really nice restaurant that I had already won a gift card for, so it stretched my money even further. I also got the Barnes and Noble gift card that they offered recently because I can always use that to buy a gift! I enjoy checking every morning, but I’m glad I don’t want most of the services because it doesn’t tempt me.
Amanda says
I love Groupon – and it’s not only for budgetary “extras!” Watch out for ones to Grocery stores!! Since January, I have gotten 7 ‘pay $10 for $20’ certificates to my local grocery stores. Both my nearest grocery stores in my city are NOT chains, they’re local businesses, and are where I shop all the time. They’ve both been appearing on deal sites – both Groupon and others – and my grocery spending has decreased a lot!
Kristen says
Well, apparently I just live in the wrong city! I’d totally buy a grocery Groupon.
Michael says
I’ve been signed up with Groupon for maybe about a month now, and so far I’ve only bought into one of their offers. It was one of the $20 gift certificate for $10 deals to an online site that sells movies. I used it to purchase a movie that I had been shopping around for for a while. Basically, I got the title for 50% off, which brought the price down to lower than I’d seen it anywhere, even on eBay (sold new).
Other than that I haven’t purchased anything else from Groupon. I am keeping an eye out for more deals like the one I already redeemed. I’m also signed up with LivingSocial.com, which I think was the service that offered that $10 for a $20 Amazon gift card that you advertised a while back. I haven’t used my gift card yet, but thanks for sharing the information with your readers!
Elisabeth says
Groupon recently came to my small city and I’m really excited about it. Although you are correct its mostly for entertainment stuff since we’re on a really super small budget right now it’s allowed us to go out to eat a couple of times…like $10 for four meals when we got a take-out pizza! What I was most excited about was when they offered a groupon for organic produce. I had no idea that such a business even existed in my area so it was awesome to find it, and get my first shipment for a discounted price! For some reason local stuff and/or organic is really hard to find in my area.
Kristen says
Ooh, I’m so jealous! I would LOVE to get a groupon for organic produce.
Must move to Elisabeth’s city….
Maria in Chicago says
I live where Groupon was founded and even worked there VERY briefly. But I have always been a fan of the deals. I like when I learn about businesses I was previously unaware of or when it allows me the opportunity to buy or experience something that I wouldn’t have considered otherwise because of a prohibitive cost. Recently, I was able to purchase a very nice piece of solid-wood furniture thanks to a Groupon deal. Groupon and similar services sometimes offer deals on necessities like dental services (especially handy for people who lack insurance), so it’s not just about fun extras in life.
Maria in Chicago says
Also, some of my fave deals were for local museum memberships. I imagine that would be especially nice for young families!